Principal's Welcome

Dear Members of the Villanova College Family
Next week is an exciting occasion for our community as we open Villanova College to welcome the many students, family members and spectators to the 2017 Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF). We are expecting over 13,000 musicians to perform over the four days of the Festival. We will need an army of volunteers to assist with cooking, welcoming, recording, selling tickets etc. during the Festival. If you are able to assist in any small way, please visit the volunteering portal at https://www.qcmfvolunteering.com or contact Janette Henderson, QCMF Volunteer Coordinator at janettehen@hotmail.com.

It is our responsibility to ensure we provide a warm welcome and a well-conducted event, as host College. The Music Supporters Group, chaired by Mrs Stephanie Carlson have been working tirelessly with the support of the Music Department to be ready for the QCMF. Your continued support is greatly appreciated.

Queensland Core Skills Test

This week our Year 12 OP-Eligible students attended a full “dress rehearsal” of the upcoming Queensland Core Skills Test (QCS). Students will sit the test on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 August. Over these two days, students will complete the Writing Task, Multiple Choice Papers I and II and the Short Response Paper. It is important our students understand the significance of the test, which is used to scale the school results achieved by the students who study each subject. Villanova College students can be confident in completing the test to the best of their ability, as they have been well prepared.

First V Basketball Games

The past two home games have been fiercely contested matches with only a basket separating the teams. The support and number of spectators has been pleasing to see. In the excitement of supporting our team, we must always remember good sportsmanship. At home games, Villanova College is the host school and we welcome all visitors to Goold Hall. As a reminder of the College’s expectations for all or our community, I have included an extract from the AIC Code of Conduct below:

AIC CODE OF CONDUCT (extract)

Conduct of Spectators:

Good play by either side should be acknowledged by spectators in the appropriate manner. This can encourage players and help them to lift their game as the match or contest progresses. Unwise or fanatical barracking can make a players perform foolish actions in his play, or incite him to foul play, which is not to be condoned.

The Head of College has the legal right to remove any person or persons who do not conform to the acceptable standards of behaviour as laid down by his school.

Referees or umpires are not to be approached by spectators at any time before, during or after a match.

Cheering and supporting one’s own team is recognised as part of the conduct of the game and, provided this barracking is within the requirements of the By Laws, it is to be encouraged. However, negative barracking against another school is not acceptable, and should be discouraged.

If parents are concerned about a player’s behaviour, whether during the match or after a match, it is important the matter is raised with our College staff who will deal appropriately with the matter. It is not acceptable to berate a visiting student publicly.

QCMF Festival

Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music FestivalNext week we will be welcoming over 13,000 students from across Queensland, Australia, and Oceania to the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival. There has been a fantastic response to our call for volunteers thus far and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your assistance. However, we still have opportunities available for you to come and join in the fun and festivities!

Our organising committee is seeking assistance with some key roles outlined below. Aside from these, we would welcome anyone willing to sell or bake cakes, meet and greet our visitors at venues, or perhaps roll a snag on the BBQ. You do not need musical experience to join in, just a community focused outlook.

The QCMF Planning Group is still looking for volunteers for the following key roles:

Coordinator/s Directors Lounge: The volunteer/s undertaking this role would set up a comfortable lounge in which conductors, adjudicators and sponsors can relax and enjoy come light refreshments during the festival. Cooking is not required. There is a document available detailing all that is involved.

Venue Secretary/ Co-Coordinator Veritas: Friday and Saturday only (8:30am – 6:45pm Friday and 8:30 – 4:00pm Saturday). Working with the Coordinator assisting with the smooth running of this lovely venue. There is a co-ordinator; however, two people are necessary for this role.

Head of Junior School

The cooler mornings and evenings that come with the winter season are now upon us. Of course, this means that we now have a marked increase in boys who are not one hundred percent health wise. Asthma, colds and the anticipated “Ekka” bugs are all around us. I am glad to see that overall there are plenty of jumpers and jackets being worn to keep the chill away from chests and throats. In the interest of the health of other students, staff and focused working environments, I do ask that anyone who is unwell remain at home to rest and recover rather than overcrowd the First Aid room.

The Brisbane Exhibition is once again here to celebrate the incredible contributions that the country people, animals and industries bring to Queensland families. No doubt, the Rouhliadeff family will indeed venture in to sample the tasting samples, trust the laws of physics on show rides and of course find the biggest Dagwood Dogs available. The Showbag Pavilion is bound to be visited just before the fireworks are let loose in the Main Arena. Hope to see you there and of course do not forget the strawberry sundaes!

We are at a very busy time of Term 3 with the Queensland Catholic Schools and Colleges Music Festival (QCMF) almost upon us. Rehearsals are in full swing and I have it on the best authority that the Pre-Concerts have confirmed our hopes of great success next Thursday to Sunday. The hours spent practicing at home together with tuition at school is bound to impress people from all over Queensland.

Volunteers are urgently needed and I ask that all Junior School families look to access the online registration form https://www.qcmfvolunteering.com as soon as possible. There are endless talent spots available from cooking on BBQ’s to serving morning tea – and for the most animated individuals the ultimate chance to hold a microphone and wow the crowd with your best game show host impression. Thank you in advance for making this the best QCMF experience for our sons ever. Please note that Friday, 18 August is a Pupil Free Day at the College with staff involved in Curriculum Meetings and volunteering duties at the QCMF.

Next Thursday is our AIC Inter-House Track and Field Carnival at Villanova Park. It is one of the highlights of the Junior School calendar and all parents are welcome to attend throughout the day to watch the Villanovan spirit in full swing. Out in the sunshine and fresh air we will see Crane, Goold, Heavey and Murray compete for the ultimate glory of athleticism over sprints and field events.

My undercover mission for the day is to find as many fine examples of good sportsmanship and smiles as humanly possible. All Junior School staff will look forward to all their students attending this day together, as part of our high College expectations, attendance at the Carnival is compulsory. I intend to give out 10 invitations next Thursday, to a “Feast of Champions” for 10 Junior School boys who combine a sense of fun while putting their best effort forward at Villanova Park. Will it be you who is invited, time will tell!

At the moment, we seem to be inundated with messages to pass on to boys during the school day. At times, this is unavoidable and we understand that students need to know exactly how they are getting home in the afternoon. However, we do ask you to consider that we have over 300 students to care for each day and Mrs Mascadri has many responsibilities outside of answering the telephone. Please plan wherever possible to avoid requests particularly occurring after second break. Many thanks for your careful planning and thoughtfulness over the remainder of 2017.

Head of Middle School

“The foundation of success for teenage children is undoubtedly a positive, working relationship with their parents.” (Wicklund)During my weekly Twitter surf, I came across an interesting article by Dorie Wicklund entitled, “Balancing Love and Discipline with your Teen”.

During my time as Head of Middle School, I have had this conversation with a countless number of Villanova parents.

Undoubtedly, the ‘Middle Years’ can be a challenging time for adolescents and parents. Developmentally, the boys are undergoing significant physical, neurological and hormonal changes, something that makes for emotional instability and unpredictability. This, in turn, makes for behaviour that can be equally unpredictable. The solution is easy to state but harder to apply – discipline and boundaries.

Wicklund suggests three common reasons for parents’ reluctance to discipline their children. They include:

fear of harming their teen’s self-esteem by enforcing consequences

fear of harming the parent/teen relationship

it is too difficult or feels ineffective

These are valid reasons, and could equally apply to the teacher/student relationship.

The article promotes the use of consequences for teens who defy parents or who fail to meet agreed expectations. These consequences must be seen as fair, and teens must be guided to an understanding as to why their actions have led to disciplinary measures.

The topic of consequences and discipline is typically fuel for vigorous conversations among educators too. Our society employs punitive outcomes to address misconduct and to deter lawbreaking, and for centuries, a similar philosophy has been applied in schools. Villanova’s movement towards ‘restorative’ responses to harm and wrongdoing reflects the importance we place on relationships within our community.

The crucial question is not “how best to punish this behaviour?” but rather, “how best to restore the relationship and enable all parties to move on?” For parents, open conversations about how their teen’s behaviour has affected others and has damaged trust is a crucial step in managing the parent/teen relationship.

For more advice or support, feel free to contact a member of our Middle School Pastoral Care Team:

Head of Senior School

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of joining Mr Stower on stage to congratulate our Semester One Academic Award recipients from the Senior School. On behalf of the Senior School teaching faculty, these high achieving students are to be commended for their diligence and consistent performance across their suite of subjects. The academic success of these fine young scholars reflects certain values and beliefs pertaining to the learning process.

I have spoken to several of our Year 12 award recipients about their attitude to their studies and many recurring sentiments emerge. These include investing in the planning and drafting phases of assessment; engaging in a regular cycle of revision; maximising their collaborative relationships with their classroom teachers and striving for excellence. These habits can certainly be learnt by those students wanting to improve their own performance. If parents or students require further assistance in developing these skillsets for success, please have no hesitation in contacting either a Pastoral Area Leader, Curriculum Office staff or myself at the College.

One powerful force, which often serves as a barrier to academic growth and development, is a fear of failure or making a mistake. Those students with a ‘fixed mindset’ that their achievement can’t improve because of their internalised feelings that they are poor at Maths or English struggle to motivate themselves to engage in further study or seek teacher assistance. The Personal Development and Form Meeting programs at Villanova College continually attempt to challenge such thoughts by reinforcing the value of Stanford Professor, Carol Dweck’s ‘growth mindset’ philosophy whereby students who make mistakes or at first fail are motivated to try harder on the path of learning. The meta-cognitive skills of our students need to be continually nurtured in positive ways so that mistakes are valued as a healthy part of our restless search for truth.

Senior School Expectations

It is timely that I remind all Senior School students of their responsibility to model appropriate pride in their College uniform. I have noticed an increase in students not having their College Akubra and attempting to leave the College in the afternoon in either incomplete uniform or in sports uniform. Student attitudes towards the way in which they wear their uniform often correlate with their connectivity and pride in being a member of the Villanova College student body. I ask all parents to challenge their son to uphold the highest standards in personal dress and grooming.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill

Mr Matt Levander, Head of Senior School

QTAC Information Evening – Tuesday 22 August 2017

On Tuesday, 22 August, the Queensland Tertiary Admissions Centre (QTAC) will present to Year 12 students and their parents in the Hanrahan Theatre at 6:30pm. The presentation will last for approximately one hour and cover the following topics:

Key timelines

How to find out about courses and institutions

How to get into courses (for OP eligible and ineligible students)

How to order your six preferences

Pathway courses

How to apply

Bonus and Special Admissions Schemes

Costs and financial assistance

Responding to your offer

Please note the new date of this presentation. If you require any further details, please contact Year 12 Pastoral Area Leader, Mr Tony Rolls at trolls@vnc.qld.edu.au.

Curriculum Update

NAPLAN ResultsWith the recent release of the 2017 NAPLAN results and on the back of the very successful Academic Assembly last week, Villanova College continues to perform strongly in the 2017 NAPLAN tests. The tables below outline the Mean scores for each of the test dimensions and with the exception of only one test, Villanova College students performed above the Australian Mean, State, Boy and Girl Mean, an outstanding result. I congratulate the teaching staff on the excellent student preparation for these tests and students should feel proud of their commitment and focus during these tests. The individual reports will be released to schools over the coming weeks and will be mailed out to parents accordingly.

As an interesting development to the NAPLAN tests, Year 7 Blue and Year 9 Green participated in an online trial for NAPLAN. While this online delivery platform is not without its difficulties, ACARA intends to conduct future NAPLAN tests online. Our students’ participation in this trial this week will help inform the writers to enable the fluid operation and testing of this software across Australia in the near future.

Year 12 QCS

This week the Year 12 students who intend to sit the QCS tests later this month experienced a full two-day rehearsal. This test conditioning is designed to allow student to experience the exact experiences they will encounter on August 29 and 30. The cohort responded well to the practice and understand the need to make a concentrated effort in these last remaining weeks. The preparation of students turns to targeted intervention for those requiring specific assistance and instruction to maximise our efforts as a group. Students should be continually revising the strategies taught throughout the year and use the many available practice questions to practice their responses. The QCS Success text is a valuable resource to use at this time.

Whole of College Writing Program

The College is investing in a long-term writing program to raise over time the writing quality of our students. While our writing skills are quite strong, this is an area that requires further attention, specifically as we move into an environment of External Assessment in the Senior School and how we train our students to write on demand under examination conditions. The college has decided to adopt a writing program entitled Write That Essay. If you wish to find out more information on this program, the link to the website is https://www.writethatessay.org/

Ministry

Mission and Ministry news: Growing Fine Young MenWe ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean – but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop. (Mother Teresa)

In Christopher Nolan’s current film, Dunkirk, one storyline hones in on a little boat steaming towards Dunkirk to help rescue the allied soldiers trapped there. The helmsman is Mr Dawson, and with him are his son, Peter, and a 17 year old lad, George. The boat keeps moving in the right direction, even in the face of great difficulties. The main reason is because of the humble and heroic virtue of Mr Dawson. Under his guidance, and often in unspoken ways, we see both Peter and George learning how to be good men and to make sound decisions. Mr Dawson cannot see what is over the horizon, but he keeps sailing towards it, sure that the heroic thing is also the right thing.

The boat could also be the family unit or the Catholic school. Even and especially when the waves are high, we keep moving forward, using our core values as the stars to steer by. This is exactly what former navy man, Manny Lynch told Year 11 students at their recent Leadership Day. It is particularly satisfying when the crew learn to steer by the same values.

This is what we are seeing now in very many of our Year 12 students. Standing up in Assembly, it is they who name the values that will steer the Villa contingent through in a unified and purposeful way. On 28 July, before the St Laurence’s fixture, College Vice Captain Patrick Coffey reminded us that we are “men of faith.” For him, that was not a pious nothing. Instead, it was the expectation that boys would get out of bed and off the sofa to support Villanova College and they did. Villanova scored victories that day that will be spoken about at Old Boys’ Dinners in years to come because of the spirit and the sense of occasion shared. In similar vein, Connor Wadsworth, Cross Country Co-Captain, told us that we are “men of courage” at last Friday’s Assembly.

We are currently feeding the spirit of the students, linking faith to what they want to achieve, through a series of House Masses. The themes picked for the Masses, by the students are Men of Faith, Men of Courage and Men of Service.

Sport

Well done to all basketball and tennis players on a great weekend of results against St Edmund’s College. All up we won 20 of the 24 basketball and 15 of the 17 tennis games played. In both tennis and basketball we have managed to secure many wins from a large number of close games played over the last three weeks and it has been a pleasure to see our boys playing hard and digging deep each week. The fact that our boys are participating with a sense of self-belief and confidence is fantastic. Well done to all players!

Please see below information regarding our Junior Football Development Program. Members of this program along with our Ben Mowen and Andrew Slack squads have been published and can be viewed in the respective AIC football and AIC rugby sections on the web site. Information that is more specific will be sent to parents later this year about these programs including commencement dates etc. Now that these lists have been published, all members are expected to involve themselves with the College’s track and field program with no exception.

I urge all parents to ensure their son participates in next week’s Villanova College Inter-House Track and Field Carnival held at Villanova Park. It is a part of our school program and is considered highly important. All students from Year 5 – 12 will participate in at least eight events throughout the day. The day will commence with the 100m ‘dash for cash’ finals for each age level. The day will conclude with presentations before buses transport all boys back to the College for normal dismissal at 3.00pm. Please support the College in this event. A program of the day’s events is posted on the web. All parents and friends are most welcome to attend.

We are hoping our boys maintain their focus for one last round before we break for Ekka week next week. Currently we are ranking very high in both the tennis and basketball. As usual, I challenge the boys to give their best again this week as we face Padua in Round 4 of AIC Competition. Let us give it everything this week before we enjoy a well-earned break from sport next weekend. Best wishes and enjoy!

Cross Country AIC Championships 2017 Report by Mr Brett Morrissey

The Villanova Cross Country Team have enjoyed another successful season in 2017. The squad placed third at the annual AIC Championships held at Limestone Park, yesterday. This was an improvement on their fourth place at the Championships last year. Although no year levels won a premiership yesterday, this great result is a reflection of improved consistency within the squad.

The College also enjoyed unprecedented individual success yesterday, with three students winning their individual races and two students placing second. This is an incredible achievement when you consider that there are 96 runners in each race. To win, you not only need to prepare extremely well, on race day you also need to overcome nerves, illness and the potential to trip in a race of that size. These fantastic individual performances are outlined below:

Year 5: Ryan Siebel – Second Place

Year 6: Mitchell Rieck – First Place

Under 12: Cohen Stewart – First Place

Under 13: Jacob Dimmick – Second Place

Under 15: Jaxon Paterson-Wright – First Place

I have a huge amount of respect for all these runners as cross country is a tough sport, and I burst with pride when I see runners wanting to push their personal limits. There were several runners this year who trained consistently over the three months, and their dedication and subsequent improvement went a long way towards securing victories in the three divisions mentioned above.

The staff involved with cross country this year were Mr Brian Pascoe, Mr Kane Corby, Mr Matthew Conlan and Mr Brett Morrissey, were joined by old boys Mr David Barton (Head Coach under 12 – Open) and Mr Isaac Lubrano (Year 5 and Year 6 Assistant) and Mr Tom Lonergan (Head Coach Year 5 and Year 6). I know all the runners appreciate the great culture that has been brewing in cross country at Villanova for a number of years now. The staff thoroughly enjoy it also, to see new runners emerging each year and striving to push their personal limits is very rewarding as a coach.

The Open Squad were aiming for a third straight premiership yesterday. Former Squad Captains Mr Ashley Bacon and Mr Reid Zemek came to their final training session on Monday to add a few words of inspiration, and last years’ Captain Mr Callum Davies was there yesterday to encourage them before their run. Each and every member of the Open Team gave 100% yesterday. The points were as close as they have ever been and I know the lads are content to come away without the win because they know they fought as hard as they could yesterday to give it every chance.

Congratulations to all AIC cross country runners for their efforts yesterday and throughout a very successful season.

All Year 5 and Year 6 basketball games are played on Friday afternoons. All Year 7 – 12 basketball and Year 5 – 12 tennis games are played on Saturday. Please refer to the College’s website to view all times and venues for this weekend’s fixtures v Padua College.

AIC Track and Field

AIC track and field (T and F) training will commence the week after Ekka week. A full season schedule is found on the Villanova website. At the conclusion of the Inter-House Carnival, the coaches will invite students from Years 5 – 12 to be a part of their squad. All track and field coaches will monitor student attendance at all training sessions. Students will be contacted by either their coach or a member of the Sports Office and asked to explain any absenteeism. We therefore encourage all students to make contact with their coach if they are unable to make training. Rolls will be taken each week to ensure that those who have been identified as our best athletes attend the sessions and follow through with their commitment. Parental support on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Villanova Track and Field Carnival Years 5 – 12 – COMPULSORY!

All students from Years 5 – 12 are required to attend Villanova’s annual Track and Field Carnival to be held at Villanova Park next Thursday, 17 August. All students are to attend school as per normal wearing their PE uniform to and from school. Buses will then transport the boys to and from Villanova Park. We hope all parents support the College to ensure that all boys attend. Canteen facilities will be available. We ask students to bring a small bag on the day for their belongings including a hat, sunscreen and water bottles (food etc.). The first events are due to start at 9.45am with the last event run at 2.00pm followed by presentations. All students will be rotated around 100m, hurdles (championship event only), bin ball, 200m, javelin, 800m, long jump, shot put, high jump (a select few in each age group only) and tug-o-war events. Our aim is to have fun, promote track and field, give everybody a go, showcase our best athletes and identify those boys who should be in our AIC Track and Field Squad.

Our track and field coaches will be positioned at all events in order for them to identify our best athletes and invite them into our track and field program, which will commence the following week. We would expect all members of our rugby and football development programs as well as all ‘A’ team members of each of the sports we have on offer to excel and be at the forefront of the track and field program.

We are hoping to have hot chips and a BBQ along with the normal canteen next Thursday. If you are available to assist for an hour or so (in between your son’s event), please contact Robyn Gunning either by email rgunning@vnc.qld.edu.au or phone 0400 841 720. We are particularly in need of parents at around 8am to assist with preparation.

Met East Track and Field Nominations

All athletes from 13 years – Opens who wish to nominate for the 2017 Met East Track and Field Championships are to complete the nomination form, which can be found outside the Sports Office. Please note that students must meet qualifying standards in order to be considered. These standards will not be advertised. ALL nominations close TOMORROW.

Villanova Junior Football Development Program

In addition to the existing First Football Training Program, the College has introduced a Junior Football Development Program, which seeks to identify and offer an intensive pre-season skills program to a select group of players from our current Year 6, 7 and 8 cohorts. It is envisaged that the pathway through to the First XI level will be through the Junior Development Program and the First Football Training Program.

The College has engaged Mr Michael Rooney to take on the role as Director of Football Skills and Development. This role encompasses the development of both our coaches and players.

During the 2017 AIC football season, Michael identified and selected a group of players from the Year 6, 7 and 8 cohorts to enter this program in 2017/18. His objective was to identify players who displayed the appropriate level of skill, attitude and potential to play First XI football someday.

This select group of players will train together on a weekly basis under the supervision of a number of very experienced and qualified coaches including Michael. These coaches will aim to increase the players’ ball skills, game speed and vision along with game structure to create and develop a pathway of quality players, which will feed into the First XI Football Program. These sessions will strive to challenge and improve all aspects of a player’s development.

Training will begin once per week during the last four weeks of Term 4 and will continue throughout Term 1 2018 until the commencement of the AIC football season. An information note regarding this program will be sent out early next term to all invitees. Please visit the College’s website under AIC Football to view those named in this squad in 2017/18. Please note that this squad is not open to all and unfortunately, many will miss out.

Please be mindful that we expect all members of the squad to participate in Villanova’s track and field program as a requirement. These boys must nominate for at least one championship event for our up-coming Inter-House Track and Field Carnival. If the boys do well during our carnival, they then must join the track and field squad and train as per the schedule found on the website. If they do not, their invitation to join the football squad will be withdrawn – no exceptions.

Position Advertised – Villanova First XI Football Coach

Applications are sought for the position of First XI Football Coach at Villanova College. The successful applicant must meet the requirements as listed in the selection criteria found on the College’s web page under the employment section. Applications close next Friday, 18 August.

AIC Sports Training – Ekka Week

AIC Tennis: All tennis sessions will go ahead throughout the entire week as per schedule except for the Year 5 and Year 6 session on Wednesday afternoon, which will be cancelled. The Firsts will still train on Wednesday and Friday evenings. All teams training on Thursday morning at Morningside will go ahead as planned. These boys will be transported directly to Villanova Park after training for the Inter-House Track and Field Carnival. Breakfast will be available for purchase at Villanova Park, cash only.

AIC Basketball: All sessions on Monday and Tuesday morning are as per schedule. All other sessions from Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday to Friday are cancelled except all teams who train at Clem Jones on Thursday morning, except for the 7A and 7B teams, which will be cancelled. Teams still training at Clem Jones will be transported to Villanova Park after training for the Inter-House Track and Field Carnival. Breakfast will be available for purchase at Villanova Park, cash only

AIC Basketball – Mr Sean O’Neill, AIC Basketball Coordinator

Round 3 of the basketball season saw us face St Edmund’s, always tough opposition. However, the green and gold army marched on and continued their solid form as a powerhouse of the competition winning 20 of the 24 games. This was a magnificent result and it keeps the dream alive of the third year as Champion Basketball School. What has been pleasing is the amount of close games that we are winning as it shows a real confidence in the players to handle the big moments and have faith in their coaches and teammates. I would like to remind all players and parents of the sacrifice that coaches make to turn up for training sessions and games on Saturday. Saying thank you after training and after games reminds the coaches that this sacrifice is worth it. A big thank you must also go to the Spirit Committee for their continued organisation on game day. They play a huge part in ensuring the atmosphere in Goold Hall is so impressive.

This weekend we are up against Padua and looking at results this will be a premiership game for some teams. I wish all players and coaches all of the best for Saturday and hope that the Nova Nation continues to strive for excellence and good sportsmanship at all times.

AIC Basketball Results v St Edmund’s College

AIC Tennis – Mrs Kath Underhill, AIC Tennis Coordinator

Success at its BEST! A sensational day on the courts for our Villanova tennis players last Saturday. Spread over three venues, Year 7 and 8 teams played in Ipswich, Year 5 and 6 teams played at Corinda and the Year 9 to Open teams played at Morningside Tennis Centre.

Once again, many close matches were occurring, but our mighty Villanovan players stopped at nothing to ensure an almost clean sweep of all matches. Overall, out of 17 matches, Villanova was victorious in 15. A huge congratulations to all players and a special mention this week to Finn Dickson in Year 8 who received a call at the last minute to fill in and travel to Ipswich to do so! This week our tennis players would welcome any supporters who would like to come and cheer them on.

AIC Tennis Results v St Edmund’s College

Term 4 Zone Cricket

Boys in Year 5 and 6 wishing to play zone cricket for Villanova in Term 4 have been given notes and are reminded to return this form with payment in as soon as possible. Boys in Year 7 – 12 must collect paperwork from the Sports Office. Team nominations are due by the first week in September and we need to have team numbers finalised by the end of August.

Zone cricket is driven by parents and teams can only be submitted if parents are able to coach and manage these sides. Please consider taking on the role of coach or manager and mark this off on the form. It is very important for parents to be aware that the focus for Term 4 cricket is for boys to ‘participate, learn some skills along the way and have fun’. Therefore, boys who nominate will be placed in teams with other boys of mixed ability. All boys in the EDJCA and BEARS competition must wear cricket whites. Boys may wear long pants or shorts but MUST wear their Villanova school hat.

Music

Keith and Dawn Wieneke Music Bursary 2017The Keith and Dawn Wieneke Music Bursary will be convened during Term 3 this year. The Bursary is an annual solo competition open to all instrumentalists and vocalists enrolled in music lessons or ensembles at Villanova College. Students who enter are required to prepare and present a short solo program for the heats stage. Five students each from Junior, Middle, and Senior school will be selected to perform in the Bursary Finals for an external adjudicator. There are cash prizes for each section: Junior and Middle School section winners receive $250; Senior School winner receives $500.

Entries are now open for the Bursary. An entry form has been included with this week’s newsletter; these are also available from the Music Office and your child’s instrumental/vocal teacher. Entries close on Monday, 14 August and heats will be conducted during school hours from 23 – 25 August. The finals are scheduled for the evening of Monday, 4 September.

I look forward to hearing you all play and witness our musical development over the past 12 months.

Pre-QCMF Concerts

Our final Pre-QCMF Concert will be held this evening, Thursday 10 August, the performance program is outlined below. As per previous correspondence, please ensure students have arrived by 5:15pm in their correct uniform.

There will be refreshments for sale prior to the Concert on the Junior School Terrace and the Concert will commence at 6pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

All Villanova ensembles will be performing across the weekend. The scheduling for the entire Festival has now been confirmed so I am pleased to be able to share the Villanova College performance times.Please refer to the performance time document: QCMF performance times.

Performance uniforms will remain the same as our debut concerts in Term 2. All students are required to meet their Ensemble Director one hour before their scheduled performance time on level 1 of the Augustine Centre.

Date Claimers

We now look ahead to August with our currently scheduled events. Please ensure these are marked in your diaries:

Thursday 10 August

QCMF Preparation Concert. All ensembles will be required to perform once over these evenings.

Monday 14 August

Entries close for Keith and Dawn Wieneke Music Bursary

Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 August

Queensland Catholic Schools’ and Colleges’ Music Festival hosted by Villanova College. Students will be required to volunteer for a short period over the weekend. All ensembles will perform once.

Parent Information

COLLEGE UNIFORM SHOP

Please be advised that the Villanova College Uniform Shop will be closed next Thursday 17 and Friday 18 August.

The Villanova College Second Hand Uniform Shop will be closed nextThursday 17 August.

Mrs Chris Purcell, Uniform Shop Coordinator

ACARA 2017 Student Background Data Collection

If you do not wish the College to provide this information to ACARA please contact Mrs Kathryn Hackett via email: khackett@vnc.qld.edu.au by close of business on Monday, 21 August, 2017.

Villanova Senior Art welcomes Adam Busby

Last week, the Villanova Senior Visual Art class welcomed celebrated muralist and designer Adam Busby as our artist-in-residence for the month of August. The purpose of Adam’s College residency is to mentor and guide a semester-long project to paint a large mural in a stairwell in Lecceto Building. As a Senior School building, the Lecceto mural will reflect the 2017 Senior School theme of “Brother’s Keeper”. Under Adam’s mentorship, a team of Year 12 Art students have commenced the ideation process and aim to complete the mural by early November.

The College is lucky to have Adam Busby here to guide and mentor our students. Adam, who moved from the US to Australia eight years ago, is well known in the South-East Queensland region for his large-scale murals in Brisbane and Toowoomba. Gaining publicity initially as an exhibiting muralist for the Toowoomba First Coat festival, Adam’s impact has spread throughout the region with his vibrant, unique compositions. To learn more about Adam Busby and his work visit his website at http://buzz-studios.com/

In coming weeks I will share further images and updates as we move from the design into the execution phase of the Lecceto Senior School mural project.

Book Fair 20- 25 August

Calendar of Events

Community Update

St James Parish: Sacrament of Confirmation 2017-

Children who wish to begin their Sacramental Program please contact our Parish Office for your enrolment form on phone 3397 1671 or via email: osastjames@bne.catholic.net.au). There is a cost of $30 approximately.